Chapter Seventeen (FMITN BOOK 1)
The rest of the week Jessica is made to take someone with her to the gym, just to ensure she doesnât pull another stunt like the last time. Though understanding she really wishes her brothers would understand they canât stop her once they all part in just a weeks time. The last week is spent finishing packing, gathering school supplies, and of course stocking for the road trip to Florida itself. It is over 669 miles, and should only take about 10 hours by highway, but somehow Jess just knows her brothers wonât keep to the route. So snacks and drinks were a must, and whatever wasnât used on the trip down could easily be split and she could keep her part in her dorm room. She really wasnât looking forward to whoâd be sharing with. New people kinda freaked her out, though she swore to herself sheâd try to be more. Saturday morning rolls round and the early part of the day is spent loading boxes into the back of the moving truck. Looking around Jess fiddles with her necklace as she wishes her home goodbye. She knows sheâll be back for breaks...well if her brothers have time off and she can be with them she will be otherwise sheâll just stay at her dorm. No sense in going ten plus hours home just to be as alone as sheâd be in the dorm, thatâs just a waste of time and gas. She giggles at the silly thought before a tear slips down her cheek. Once everything was in the truck, Matt, Jeff, Finn, and Jessica all get in. Thank the Moon Goddess the cab was large enough, otherwise this would have been an awkward ride.
Once settled the drive starts, The brothers decided that about half way there theyâd stop for the night. Theyâd be stopping somewhere in Georgia, which the possibility to explore which really excited Jessica. Having never really even been outside of her hometown this was all new to her and she was really looking forward to it. Though sheâd have to admit she was anxious about being left in Florida alone. The first seven hours, because of course Matt and Jeff fought over music and missed several turns, was filled with fighting over music, talks of how things were changing for the best, and how proud everyone was of each other. Finally arriving in a town called Savannah in Georgia. After getting 2 rooms for the night, the brothers and Jessica start to walk around.Â
Admiring the historical district, and walking through the Victorian one as well, they finally find a small cafe to stop at and have dinner. They continue to talk about the upcoming changes, for some reason Jessica suddenly picks up on a smell, and her inner wolf whimpers. Looking for the source of the smell she spots a man, tall, short hair, tan, tribal tattoo on his arm and blue eyes. The smell of ink and mint starts to make Jess shake, and without explanation she jumps up and runs out of the resturant much to her wolfâs protest, she takes off the way she and her brothers traveled in hopes that the smell will leave her. She recalls it from her childhood and the last thing she wants right now is to find her âmateâ right when sheâs about to move on to college. Stopping at a nearby park she found she leans against a tree catching her breath. No longer smelling ink and mint, she shakes her head.Â
Jeff, Matt and Finn are still staring at the seat Jessica once sat in trying to figure out what just happened. Sheâd never reacted in such away, never mind running like her life depended on it. Jeff and Matt pick up on the smell of ink and theyâve only ever come across two with that smell, Randy and Alesiter. Looking around they donât see anyone who could resemble Alesiter, but the smell of ink they find it, as he comes to the table. Smirking at the seat Jess had abandon he looks at the brothers, and Finn stands, unsure really what was going on, but knowing that he needed to find the girl he thought of as his sister.
âJeff, Matt, Iâm going to go look for her. I think I have an idea where she might have gone. Iâll get her back to the room safe.â Finn glares at the stranger before leaving. Jeff shakes his head and Matt sighs.
âBeen a long time Orton, can we help you?â Jeff asks a little pissed off that what time he has left with his sister has now been interrupted. Randy chuckles.
âCalm down alpha Hardy, I was just passing through with WWE, we have a show here in Georgia tonight. As I was walking, I smelled something I hadnât smelled since I was a child. Citrus and Candied Ginger, I simply followed it here. Jessica sure has grown into a beautiful woman how old is she now?â Jeff grits his teeth, he knows he canât prevent true mates from being together, is an unwritten rule should any werewolf actually find a true mate.But the timing just like before is all wrong.
âSheâs 16Â going on 17 this Halloween and starting college this week. We stopped here for the night before we continue on our way in the morning, and we start in WWE.â It was true the three of them knew for a fact that WWE was in the area and would be in Florida the next two days after tonightâs house show. It was why they werenât rushed about getting to the meeting with the higher ups. It played out into their plans better than anything else. Randy took an interest in Jessica starting college at 16, that was on the young side after all. But he wouldnât lie she had grown into such a beautiful woman.
â16 and starting college? How is that possible?â Randy cocked his head to the side and this time Matt answered as calmly as possible.
âJess proved at a young age to be intelligent. By all means she could have actually been starting college at the age of 12, but she chose to be in the same grade as Jeff. She graduated this year valedictorian, with a full scholarship to the college sheâs attending.â Jeff nodded and Randy looked at the pair with slight shock and amusement. He knew they were purposefully not saying which college she was going to. Not that he could find and claim her, Not now anyways not with his training schedule and work. But one of these days heâd find her again.Â
âIt's good to know sheâs so smart, must be why she ran, she didnât want to ruin her chance at higher education by being claimed.â Randy smugly spoke as he turned to leave. âBut know this Hardysâ I will claim her one day. She is rightfully my true mate.â With that Randy left. Matt and Jeff got the food to go, paid and went back to the hotel in hopes that Finn had found Jess.
Meanwhile Finn had run back the way they came, he had remembered passing a park that Jess mentioned wanting to go to when theyâd be on their way back from dinner. Sure enough that's where he spotted her, sitting on the ground leaning against a tree trunk. Carefully walking towards Jess, she snapped her head up and sighed when she saw Finn. Whispering she spoke.
âIâm sorry about that. Iâm just ...I'm not ready for my mate to claim me and I ran. I just want to live my life and be happy, I want to be able to go to college and be somewhat normal. I know Iâll never be, being what I am, but I can try for the next four years canât I?â She took a shaky breath and looked up and the man she considered her brother. He smiled down at her and reached his hand out for her to take.Â
âOf course you can! But instead of being normal, how about we go dye your hair? I happened to bring some dyes, I wanted to surprise you with it back at the hotel room, but I think you need this now more than anything. If you want we can wait for Jeff to get back and he can help too.â Finn suggested and Jessica smiled. The truth was of the last year or so when ever she wanted to dye her hair, Jeff and Finn fought over which one would be the one to do it.She nodded her head, took Finnâs hand and the two left and headed back to the hotel. It was about another 45 minutes till the boys showed up, but they came baring take away containers. Looking around at the setup Jeff glared at Finn.
âOh no, oh hell no! If anyone is doing Jessieâs hair I am! Come on, youâve done her hair the last few times she wanted to change it.â Jeff practically whined and everyone choked on their laughter. Even though he was the alpha he still would whine to try and get his way. Jess stood up and hugged her big brother.
"Jeff, why don't you both do my hair? We have to bleach it out first, then we can put the Raven Black on top and the High Voltage Blue on the bottom layer. What do you say?" Jess smiled up at her pouting brother and he sighed in defeat. He barely could say no to that face.
"Fine but let's eat first. I'm starving."Â Everyone nodded in agreement to that. They began talking again avoiding bringing up Randy. That was till Jessica asked a rather intriguing question.
"Is it possible to have two romantic soulmates? I know and understand that he is my mate, at least according to our wolves, but ...Aleister, everything in my body pulls me to find him and be with him again. I love him still and hurts so fuckin much that he just abandoned me." Jess pushed her fries around and sighed. Honestly other than stating she missed him this was her first time talking about her true feelings. She'd be lying if she said she didn't feel the same for Randy, deep down she did, but at the same time she didn't have a connection or bond with him the way she use to have one with Alestier.
With no one noticing Finn shifted into his demon form. He had heard the conversation of course but being the literal oldest in the room he also had answers to the little game's question. When his demonic voice rang out everyone turned to look at him. Matt and Jeff were unaffected Jess on the other hand kind of freaked out. Yes she accepted that Demon King Balor was apart of her "brother" Finn, but she'd never come face to face with him. His black and red skin, tendrils for hair and his long sharp pointed razor like teeth that hung from his slightly stretched jaw, they scared her. And to be honest she had no freakin idea WHY he suddenly decided to make himself known.
"Jessica, you asked about the possibility of two romantic soulmates, did you not?" Balor tilted his head to the side studying the hybrid. She simply nodded not trusting her voice. "I may not be thousands of years old, but I do know the history of all of our kinds. The two whom came before you, were not only intelligent beyond their time, and greatly gifted magical, but they too were the purest white in their wolf forms." Jeff, Matt, and Jess looked at the demon as he spoke, each nodding to show they were listening. "Listen here little gem, it is beyond possible that both these men you speak of are your true mates. Aleister Black his family bloodline is known for being pure magic, it's highly likely with the abilities you possess with magic though left unrefined he is your the soulmate to your witches half. And this Randy Orton, well if both your wolves agree and know the other to be their true mate there is no denying that. You will be the key to bringing peace to the unity when it is time. You are far from ready for that task yet. You are very important to the supernatural realm Jessica. I can't say more at this time. Just know there is a reason many seek to want to protect you naturally and will flock to you." Balor hugged his little gem and placed a careful kiss to her hairline. Before whispering "Never let anyone change you. Remain the good, kind, caring soul you are." And with that Balor was gone and Finn asleep on the floor.
Jessica stared blankly at the wall in front of her. The Demon King had given a lot of information and she, well she needed to digest all that was said. She grabs her watch, the bleach and emotionless walks into the bathroom locking the door. Staring at herself in the mirror she doesn't know, remove her shirt she mixes the bleach contents together and applies it all throughout her waist length hair. She sets a timer on her watch. Too far in her own mind she barely hears her brothers yelling for her through the door. Suddenly brought back by the sound of the alarm she gets up and washes the bleach from here hair before using the hotel blow dryer to dry it. Putting her shirt back on she walks out of the bathroom and into Matt's arms.Â
Finn has yet to awake and since Jess wasn't talking, Jeff decided to finish dying her hair while trying to talk to her. He could actually smell the fear and uncertainty flowing from his sister's body.
"Yaknow Jessie these are really nice colors you picked. I think they'll look really good on you." Jeff smiled as he applied the Raven Black to the top portion of her hair careful not to get any on the under side. Jessica spoke but it was so faint that even his werewolf hearing almost missed.
"Thanks I had told Finn awhile ago I wanted to do these colors next." She tried not to shift her head. Once the black was completed, Jeff pinned it up with a hair clip, changed his gloves and began the next color.
"Where did you even find High Voltage Blue dye? I've never seen it around before." Jess hummed and tapped her chin thinking. Though she didnât answer, a wave of sickness began to hit her.Â
âJeffy, I think the smell of the dye is making me sick. Iâm not feeling well.â Jessica whined, and Matt touched her forehead, she was feeling warm and then almost like being hit by a freight train, Mattâs eyes widen. Swallowing harshly Matt spoke.
âLet Jeff finish putting the dye in your hair, then I want you to go take a very cold shower. You were suppose to have the room to yourself, but Jeff, I think itâs best you stay here with her tonight.â Matt looked Jeff in the eyes practically begging him to agree. Smells were faint in the room even to the Alpha but he nodded in argument and she quickly finished adding the colors. Matt went to Jessicaâs overnight bag, and grabbed what she had packed for sleepwear, sighing he knew what she had was not going to be comfortable for her. Looking at Jeff then Finn who was finally coming too, he spoke.
âGuys, could you come to our room for a minute? Jeff you need your sleepwear and we need to talk about something.â The eldest Hardy shifted uncomfortably, neither of them had ever given thought to this happening, and they were hardly ever around and since she had never gotten sick or presented they never thought to get her on suppressants, this was going to end up being the biggest mistake the two brothers could have ever made. Jessica looked at all three of her brothers and nodded. Once they left the room and went next door Matt ran his fingers through his hair trying to think of how to explain what was happening to Jessie. This wasnât a conversations brothers should ever have to have about their little sister, but they were all she had. Once everyone was in the room Matt paced slightly his beta wolf calm over the situation thankfully. Jeff snapped though growling.
âThe fuck is happening to Jess, what the fuck was that smell?!â Matt huffed up, maybe having the alpha stay and protect her was a mistake?
âSo Jeff, you remember when you had your first rut? The pain, the fever, the arousal? However thing was just fucked up till it passed almost two weeks later? And how from that point on you had to be secluded like most unmated alphaâs till it passed?â Alphaâs typically faced ruts every three months, as a Beta Matt only faced it twice a year, but and Omega, well from what was taught in school it could be as often as an Alpha's rut, and if they were near a suitable mate it was to said to be worse, the fact that Jess very possibly has two soulmates an ran into one today is what Matt guessed brought it on, even if they werenât near each other that long. Jeff huffed.
âYeah that rut was shit, and so are the ones that came after wha-â Jeff stopped mid-sentence eyes widened. âAre you fucking sayin sheâs ⌠no, no NO!â Jeff paced this was their little one, no way in hell was she entering her first heat, he refused to believe it. Finn meanwhile was listening to Balor in his head explain everything that was actually being said, though he had taken the same classes in school that didnât mean he bothered to remember it as important infomation, well now he wished he had, having a demon, let alone the Demon King explain in your head the sex cycles of werewolves was not pleasent. Finn cleared his throat.
âSo we need to get her some kind of medicine so that next time this happens she wonât be affected or something? Why wasnât she already on the suppressants?â It was an honest question, Finn had noticed Matt staring out the window almost as if on garud. Jeff gritted his teeth.
âHonestly we never thought about it. Yeah we knew but that's our flesh and blood, our little sister, we didnât want to think about her like that.â Sighing, Jeff had really wished he made her go for those, the smell was overwhelming and an unmarked Alpha who happened to be nearby was bound to come flocking to it, which only caused Jeff to get more angry. Without moving his gaze Matt spoke up.
âWe need to get her through tonight, someone HAS to stay with her as protection from anyone whom might try to get to her. I thought at first the best idea would be for Jeff to do it, but Iâm beginning to wonder if his Alpha is really best. As a Beta I can be calmer around her, and Finn being a demon shouldnât have any issue either. However with that said, one of us will need to trade pajamas with her. She has sweats and a heavy top, even with the air conditioner blasting tonight, according to what weâve learned sheâll sweat through her clothes and end up stripping. This is her first heat, and it's just barely starting, IF weâre lucky and we leave early in the morning, we should be able to get her to AMU before her heat is full blown.â Jeff scuffs.
âThe hell is the college going to do for her?â A look of realization hits Finn.
âTheyâre known for being most supernatural creatures and beings! One of you should call the school, speak with the nurse or doctor on staff, explain whatâs happening, theyâll be able to assist Jess the moment she gets there, and then once her heat passes they can get her setup on the suppressants! Is that what you were thinking Matt?â Finn smiles when Matt nods.Â
âItâs true theyâll be able to help her. Iâll make the call since Jeff..â Matt trails off looking at his brother, yeah he wonât be able to handle this on so many levels. â..Jeff canât handle this, youâll stay in this room, Finn, you go and watch over Jessie tonight. If you have to bring Balor out, or scream for us weâll come running.â Matt grabs the phone and places the call to the school, he explains everything and the doctor on the line somehow already was aware of the lack of a suppressant in Jessieâs system, but wasnât judging given the fact she was younger than most students that attend the school, and this after all was her first heat. Finn grabs his bags and heads back to Jessicaâs room.